20130413

Glyphosate & John E. Franz




Glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine) is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide used to kill weeds, especially annual broadleaf weeds and grasses known to compete with commercial crops grown around the globe. It was discovered to be a herbicide byMonsanto chemist John E. Franz in 1970.[3] Monsanto brought it to market in the 1970s under the trade name Roundup, and Monsanto's last commercially relevant United States patent expired in 2000.

Called by experts in herbicides "virtually ideal" due to its broad spectrum and low toxicity compared with other herbicides,[4] glyphosate was quickly adopted by farmers. Use increased even more when Monsanto introduced glyphosate-resistant crops, enabling farmers to kill weeds without killing their crops. In 2007 glyphosate was the most used herbicide in the United States agricultural sector, with 180 to 185 million pounds (82,000 to 84,000 tonnes) applied, and the second most used in home and garden market where users applied 5 to 8 million pounds (2,300 to 3,600 tonnes); additionally industry, commerce and government applied 13 to 15 million pounds (5,900 to 6,800 tonnes).[5] While glyphosate has been approved by regulatory bodies worldwide and is widely used, concerns about its effects on humans and the environment persist.[6]..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roundup_(herbicide)

"John E. Franz is an organic chemist who discovered the herbicide glyphosate while working at Monsanto Company in 1970.[1] The chemical became the active ingredient in Roundup, a broad-spectrum, post-emergence herbicide. This discovery had an incredible effect on the agricultural community, allowing farmers (as well as average homeowners) to easily and effectively control the growth of weeds. Franz has earned much acclaim and many rewards for this breakthrough. He also has over 840 patents to his name worldwide..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_E._Franz

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